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Back on the Run After Foot Injury

The bad luck Patrick Wright experienced on Friday, the 13th, turned into a positive outcome when doctors at North Kansas City Hospital saved his foot following a lawn mower accident. Patrick was pushing a mower on a bank near his Hardin home when his foot slipped under the mower. “I knew it was bad,” he recalls, “I could see my big toe dangling to the side.”

Paramedics brought Patrick to the Hospital after retrieving his toe from the grass. “I was worried I could lose my foot,” says Patrick, who was only 28. Surgery returned his foot to its normal shape, but doctors decided not to risk infection by reattaching his big toe.

Patrick’s wound proved stubborn to heal and remained open. Doctors recommended the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Services at North Kansas City Hospital. For 40 days, Patrick traveled to the hospital from his Hardin home, over an hour away. “Hyperbarics is an innovative treatment that is ideal for this type of wound because it decreases bacteria in the wound, hyperoxegenates the blood stream and increases new blood vessel growth,” says Karl Stark, MD, medical director.

The staff also cleaned his wound and provided a special machine to further assist in the healing process.

“The physicians and staff were wonderful and treated me like family,” says Patrick. “It was great to see the progress I was making.”

Staff members told Patrick if he was a smoker or diabetic chances were good he might have lost his foot. For an avid runner, like Patrick, that outcome would have proved devastating.

With the help of physical therapy, Patrick learned how to balance and eventually run without a big toe. He is the first to say he is back on track and recently competed in his first full marathon of 26.2 miles. Most importantly, he’s able to keep up with his nearly one-year-old son, Josiah.

“No matter what my outcome I knew I could get through anything with the support of my wife, Jennifer, my family, friends and faith,” says Patrick.

Lawnmower Safety Tips

Tips to keep you safe during lawnmower season.

Pick up twigs, stones and toys before mowing.

Wear protective gloves, goggles and sturdy, closed-toed footwear.

Remove debris from mower blades with a stick, not your hand.

When mowing hills on a walk-behind mower, mow sideways. With a riding mower, mow left-to-right.